"Truly, it is the indescribable sweetness of contemplation which you give to those who love you. In this you have shown the tenderness of your charity, that when I had no being you made me; and when I strayed away from you, you brought me back again to serve you and commanded me to love you." The Imitation of Christ

Saturday, 6 December 2008

A Sense Of Vocation...

Later this morning I am going to renew my vows. I do this each year, even though I don't have to, because it helps to remind me that I have chosen to live my life as a single woman living and working in the world. Otherwise, because I have no "official" standing as a Religious or consecrated person, there might be a temptation to view my life in the single state as a sort of "default" option, that I'm single because I haven't married... the single life, as a vocation of choice outside Religious life or the Priesthood, doesn't often get mentioned.

In fact, the reality is that I felt a distinct call from God to make a sacrifice of my life, and dedicate it to Christ and his Church. It wasn't an easy decision to take, to relinquish all hopes of children and a family of my own, but I thank God for all the many blessings he has bestowed upon me since I first took my vows.

Just being nosy, are you, or have you considered, being an oblate or joining a 'third order', or if none of these do you feel an affiliation with any order / spirituality, e.g Benedictine, Franciscan, Ignatian, Dominican etc?

Congratulations on this special day, anyone who knows you will realise how much God's love is visible in what you say and do and how this has increased over the years, since you took your vows, It is a privilege to have you as a friend.

Thanks everyone! Cellarer, I don't feel called to any of the orders you mentioned: the nearest I got was the idea of becoming a consecrated woman, but the Vicar General, after having been quite encouraging, went very quiet after talking to the Archbishop. I did wonder if it had anything to do with the blog...;-)

Year For Priests

About Me

I have given up describing myself as a young Catholic woman, but I don't quite feel ready to call myself "middle aged." Is there anything in between?
I came back to the Church in September 1992 after what I consider to be a Damascus Road conversion, and guess you could call me a Trad by inclination.
I'm a single woman living and working in the world (as a Science teacher), and I took private vows in December 2002.